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Vitola, Bart N.; And others 

Characteristics of Honen in the Air Force 1970 
Through 1973, 

Air Force Huian Resources Lab,, Lackland AFB, Tex, 

Personnel Research Di7. 

AFHRL"TR-7a-59 

Jul 74 

17p, 

MF-S0,76 HC-$1,58 PLUS POSTAGE 

Aptitude; '^Coiparative Analysis; ♦Feaales; ♦Hales; 

♦Military Personnel; Racial Distribution; Sex 

Differences 



ABSTRACT 

Data were coll<4cted fro« the Air Training Coimand 
personnel processing files on non-prior-service accessions for lale 
and feaale basic trainees entering tho Air Force daring the years 
1970 through 1973. Data included age, Airian Qualifying Exaiination 
(AQE) aptitude indexes, years of education, race, and geographic area 
of enlistDent. Tables show ACjE aptitude index Beans and standard 
deviations by sex and ye9.T o^ enlistnent; percentage by sex i!t score 
range on AQE coipositei; and at each index; nuiber and percentage by 
sex for educational level and for racial subgroup; and racial 
coaposition by geographic area of enlistment, conclusions, based on 
the data, were that: (1) using 1970 as a coaparative base the 1973 
aptitude indexes declined less sharply for feiales than aales and two 
indexes (Mechanical and Electronics) were higher for fenales in 1973 
than in 1970; (2) the educational level of feaales has risen, that 
for males has declined; (3) racial nix is the saae for tales and 
feaales oMt recruitment of black fenales varies considerably anong 
recruiting areas; and (4) younger fenales tend to have relatively 
lower aptitude scores. (SA) 



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AIR FORCE 9 

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AFHRLTR-74-S9 



CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN IN THE AIR FORCE 
1970 THROUGH 1973 



By 

BartM.Vi|ola 
CKlN.Mulllns 
Joiaph L.WMki,S8t..USAF 



PERSONNEL RESEARCH DIVISION 
Uckland Air Font Bait, Jmm 76238 



July 1974 



Approved for pubHc releaw: disuibution unlimited. 



LABORATORY 



AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND 

BROOKS AIR FORCE BASEJEXAS 78235 

3 



5-. 



NOTICE 



When US Government drawings, specifications, or other data are used 
for any purpose other than a definitely related Government 
procurement operation, the Government thereby incurs no 
lesponsibiiity nor any obligation whatsoever, and the fact that the 
Government may have formulated, furnished, or in any wey supplied 
the said drawings, specifications, or other data is not to be regarded by 
implication or otherwise, as in any manner licensing the holder or any 
other person or corporation, or conveying any rights or permission to 
manufacture, use, or sell any patented invention that may in any way 
be related thereto. 

This report was submitted by Personnel Research Division, Air Force 
Human Resources Laboutocy, Lacichnd Air Force Base, Texas 78236, 
under project 7719, wiUi Hq Air FoivC Human Resources Laborrtory 
(AFSC), Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235. 

This report has been reviewed and cleared for open publication and/or 
public release by the appropriate Office of Infonnation (01) in 
accordance with APR !90-17 and DoDD S230.9. There is no objection 
to unlimited distribution of this report to the public at large, or by 
DDC to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). 

This technical report has been reviewed and is approved. 

LELAND D. BROKAW, Chief 
Personnel Research Division 



Approved for publication. 

HAROLD E. FISCMER. Colonel, USAF 
Commander 



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BEFORE COMPLETING FORM 


«. REPONT NUMSEN 2. OOVT ACCESSION NO. 
AFHRL.TR-74.59 


1. REClf»lENT*S CATALOG NUMftER 


CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN IN THE AIR 
FORCE 1970 THROUGH 1973 


S. TYRE OF REPORT A PERIOD COVERED 


S. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 


7. AUTKORf*> 

Bart Vitola 
Cecil j.MuIlins 
Joseph L. Weeks 


a. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBERf*^ 


9. PCRrORMINC ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADQf^CSS 

Personnel Research Divisfon 

Air Force Human Resources Laboratory 

Lackland Air Force Base* Texas 78236 


10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASK 
AREA A WORK UNIT NUMBERS 

77191602 


n. CONTROtLiNC OrPlCE NAMC AND ADDRESS 

Hq Air Force Human Resources Laboratoiy (AFSC) 
Brooks Air Force Base. Texas 78235 


12. REPORT DATE 

July 1974 


1|. NUMBER 0«^ PAGES 

18 


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17. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of ihm mbmtrmct mntmr^d In Block JO, it dittmfoni /rom iimpott) 



It. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 



ia. KEY WORDS (C0n*fnum on tm^mtmm •id* #1 nMcmmmmfy and Identify by Mock nutnt^e) 

WAF assignment high-aptitude personnel 

WAF performance racial subgroups 

aptitudef education levds 

male*fema]e performance age groups 
geographic areas of enlistment 

so. ABSTRACT (ConUnu^ on r«v«r«« Bfdo U nocoB&mfy mnd Identify ^y block number) 

The total input of WAF enlistees for 1970 through 1973 (N*20588) were compared with male enlistees for 
the same period (N«324,935). WAF AQE-A and AQE<; scores in 1973 have dropped less than those for males 
relative to 1970. WAF AQE-M and AQE-E scores in 1973 were hif^er than they were in 1970, whereas similar scores 
for males have declined dightly. Educational level for males has declined in the years 1970-1973, whereas, for WAF, 
it has climbed somewhat. Racial mix for females is ab(H)t the same as for males, but the contribution by the various 
recruiting areas to the total number of Black women in the Air Force varies considerably from area to area. As with 
males, the younger females tend to have lower aptitude scores. 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS 



I. Introduction 3 

II. Method 3 

ill. Results and Discussion 3 

IV. Conclusions ® 

References ' 

AppenJU A: Racial Subpoup Distributions fot 1970 Through 1973 Female Enlistees 
by Selection Test Measure , Educational Levd , Age, and Enlistment Region 11 

UST OF TABLES 

1 AQE Aptitude Index Means and Standard Deviations for Air Force 

Enlistees (1970 througii 1973) 

2 Percent ot Enlistees Qualified at Three Aptitude Index Cut-Off Scores 

(1970 through 1973) S 

3 Percentageof 1970 TTirough 1973 Male and Female Enlistees With Veiy High AQE Scores . . 5 

4 Distribution of Educational Levels for 1 970 Through 1 973 Male and Female 

Air Force Enlistees 6 

5 Distribution of 1970 Throu^ 1973 Male and Female Enlistees by Racial Subgroup 6 

6 WAFRacialCompositicnbyGftographic Area of Enlistment (1973) 7 

7 AQE Aptitude Indexes by Age Group for 1973 Male and Female Enlistees 8 

Al Average AQE ApUtude Indexes for 1 970 Through 1 973 Female Air Force 

En' 'ees by Racial Subgroup 11 

A2 Cumulative Percentages of AQE Aptitude Indexes for 1970 T! rough 1973 Female 

Air Force Enlistees by Racial Subgroup 11 

A3 Percentage of 1970 Through 1973 Female Enlistees by Racial Subgroup 

rtth Very High AQE Scores 12 

A4 Distribution of Education Level for 1970 *1irough 1973 Female Air 

Force Enlistees by Racial Subgroup 12 

A5 AQE ApUtude Indexes by Age and Racial Subgroup for 1970 Female Air Force Enlistees ... 12 

A6 AQE Aptitude Indexes by Age and Racial Subgroup for 1971 Female Air Force Enlistees ... 13 

A7 AQE Aptitude Indexes by Age and Racial Subgroup for 1972 Female Air Force Enlistees ... 14 

AS AQE Aptitude Indexes by Age and Racial Subgroup for 1973 Female Air Force Enlistees ... 14 

A9 Mean WAF Scores on AQE Aptitude Composites for Racial Subgroups 

and Total Sample by Enlistment Region, 1973 15 



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CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN IN THE AIR FORCE 
1970 THROUGH 1973 



L INTRODUCnON 

In January, 1973, the Secretary of Defense 
announced the termination of the draft and the 
end of conscription in the Armed Services under 
the Selective Service Draft Lottery System. 
Although the Air Force had previously relied on 
voluntary enlistments to maintain its force 
stftngth, it was always recognized that a major 
pprtion of flrst-term airmen were motivated to 
enlist by the prospect cf being drafted. 

In the 1970 through 1972 time period, studies 
were done to predict the quali^ of an all^ 
volunteer force* One of the conclusions of the 
studies indicated the desirabOity of considering 
expanded utilization of Women in the Air Force 
(WAP). A search of the literature rebting to WAF 
characteristics revealed that, while some effort had 
been made to determine the characteristics of 
first-term WAF, the effort was much less 
concentrated than that expended in the deter- 
mination of the qualities of first-term male 
enlistees. This was probably because WAF enlistees 
constituted a sm^ percentage of yeariy acces* 
sions. One of the first studies in the WAF area was 
conducted byMcReynoIdsin 19S6. She developed 
the Armed Forces Women's Selection Test 
(AFWST) whose characteristics were more 
appropriate for women than the Aimed Forces 
Qualification Test (AFQT) which, at the time, was 
being used to screen women desiring to enlist in 
the Air Force. In that same year Berkeley and 
Brokaw (19S6) surveyed a sample of WAF to 
determine their attitudes about enlistment, job 
satisfaction, and satisfaction with Air Force life hi 
general. Elliott (1960) reported that test per- 
formance of the incoming WAF population 
compared favorably with test performance of the 
non^nlistee female population. Lecznar (196S) 
compared test performance of 1962 male and 
female enlistees on the four aptitude composites 
of the Airman Qualifying Examination (AQE). 
Tupes (196S) presented AQE normative data for 
n^ionwide groups of 12 th grade girls by region of 
the countiy. type of high school curriculum, and 
size of city within each region. Vitola and 
Wilboum (1971) compared male and female 
performance on Air Force selection measures and 
Vitola, MuUins, Williams, and Iifichelson (1974) 
sampled the attitudes of 1973 WAF enlistees. 



Vitola, MuUins, and Brokaw (1974) established 
a data base on 1970 through 1972 male accessions; 
calendar year 1973 Air Force accessions were 
compared with this base. This report presents data 
on the 1970 through 1972 WAF accessions and 
provides yecr-by-year comparisons across the 
dimensions cf aptitude, age, education, race, and 
region of enlistment; calendar year 1973 WAF 
accessions were compared with this base. Fuither, 
comparison of male and female characteristics for 
the entire four^year time period (1970 through 
1973) are made. 



IL METHOD 

Data were collected on female, non-prior- 
ervice basic trainees who entered the Air Force in 
calendar year 1970 (N«4,238), 1971 (N«4371)» 
1972 (N««4,688), and 1973 (N«7,69I). Source of 
the data wa.'^ the Air Training Command personnel 
processing files on non^prfor-service accessions. 
Data on the enlistees included day, month, and 
year of birth, AQE aptitude Indexes, years of 
education completed, race, and geographic area of 
enlistment. No Officer Training School '^holds'' 
were included. 

Means and standard deviations for the four 
yeady groups were obtained on the four AQE 
composites* Score distributions for accessions ifk 
each year were (Stained for each of four levels of 
education; 16 or more years of schooling 
completed, 13 throu^ IS years, 12 yeais,and 11 
or less. It is noted that in the past, prerequisite for 
WAF enlistment was completion of hi^ school. 
However, a policy change in October 1973 
pit>vkied for WAF enlistments with less than 12 
years of completed education. Each yearly group 
was divided into Black and non-Black racial sub* 
groups. Various comparisons were made between 
these groups on selection test dimensions, 
education, age, and geographic area of enlistment. 
Male data used in male-female comparisons were 
obtained from the X^tola, MuUins, and Brokaw 
(1974) study. 



DL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

During the data collection period all potential 
enlistees, both male and female, were required ^o 



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qualify on the AQE. This test yields four aptitude 
composites: Mechanical, Administraiive, General, 
and Electronics. Separate fivc-centOe interval 
indexes (01 , OS, 10, ... 95) arc developed so that 
S percent of the normative sample falls within 
each of the 20 intervals of the scale. Tables 1,2, 
and 3 show AQE data for 1970 through 2973 
enlistees. Further information by racial subgroup 
for 1970 through 1973 enlistees may be found in 
Appendix A (Tables Al through A8). 

Table 1 data indicate average performance on 
the AQE aptitude indexes. While mean AQE scores 



of males were lower in 1973 than tlicy were in 
1970 on all indexes, this phenomenon obtained on 
only two of the indexes (General and Administra- 
tive) for females. The other two WAF indexes 
(Mechanical and Electronic) were higher in 1973 
than in 1970. 

Compared with 1972, the 1973 Mechanical and 
Electronic aptitude indexes increased for both 
mates and females, while Administrative and 
General declined. 



Table L AQE Aptitude Index Means tnd Stattdsnl Deviattons for Air 
Force Enlistees (1970 through 1973) 



Aptltutf* 
Comwoilli 



Mmr and SD on s«Mtlon MMttur* 



1t70 



1t7t 



SO 



tfTS 





SD 


M«an 


SD 




SD 


Mtles 












58.3 


21.2 


58.9 


20.5 


59.7 


20.4 


57.9 


22.0 


56.5 


20.9 


S2J 


20.1 


62.4 


19.2 


61.7 


18.5 


58.9 


18.6 


60.8 


22.2 


60.7 


20.5 


61.6 


19.6 



AQE-Mcchanicttl 61.4 21.2 

AQE*Administrativc 61.6 22 J 

AQ&General 6S3 19,9 

AQE*EIectronic$ 64.2 22.2 



AQE-Mechanical 33.4 18.9 

AQE* Administrative 70.1 13 J 

AQE-GctK^ral 69.8 12 J8 

AQE-EIectronics SO.6 18.4 



Females 

32,9 
68.9 
68.7 
S0.0 



19.1 


35.9 


18.9 


39.4 


19.1 


13.8 


683 


13.6 


64.4 




12.9 


68.7 


12.8 


64.9 


15.4 


18.6 


51.9 


17.9 


52. 9 


18.9 



Table 2 reveals quite different trends for males 
and females at different AQE levels across the four 
years studied. The percentage of males who scored 
80 and above on the Mcclianical and Electronics 
composite has dropped a little and the percentage 
of females has climbed a tittle. At the same 
interval on the Administrative and General 
composites, female performance has dropped 
sharply , but male performance has dropped eVen 
more sharply. At 40 and above, females have risen 
sharply on the Mechanical composite, and males 
have dropped sliarply on Admiriistrative. No other 
large changes are observable at this interval for any 
of the composites. 

Table 3 is a male- female comparison of the 
highest four score intervals (80, 85, 90, and 95) on 
each of the four composites for 1970 through 
1973. rhese higit score comparisons indicate 



substantial superiority of males In the MechanlcaJ 
and Electronics areas, and of females in the 
General and Administrative areas. 

Table 4 indicates educational level patterns for 
female accessions relative to males across the four 
years, 1970 through 1973. The percentage of males 
with 16 or more years of education has declined 
from 6 percent in 1970 to 1 percent in 1973, 
while the pcicentage of females with 16 or more 
years has risen from 0 percent to 2 percent. 
SimUarly, males at 13 through 15 years of 
education have declined from 12 percent to 6 
percent, while females have increased from 5 
percent to 8 petctnt. The percentage of females 
with more than a hl^ school education has 
increased from less than one-third that of males in 
1970 to higher tlian that of males in 1973. 



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Table 2 Percent of Enlistees QiuUfied it Thi^* /.ptitude Index 
Cutoff Scoits( 1970 tliroug^ 1973) 



iHfe«ntif • l>y In Scor« lUnt* 
on AQt Compailttf 



It70 It7l im li?) 

AQC ■ ■ ■ " '^ " ' - ■■ — ■ ' ■ ' ■ ■ ■ ' ■ ■ 

AptrtJdi* Mt?« Femif« Mtit Ftmeire Malt Ftmaio Mate Fcmata 



Mecbinkal Composite 



80 and above 


25 


I 


21 1 


23 


2 


23 


3 


60 and above 


55 


to 


51 10 


56 


12 


54 


17 


40 and above 


86 


40 


83 39 


86 


45 


87 


53 








dative Compoiite 








80 and above 


26 


32 


28 


18 


27 


12 


21 


60 and above 


57 


82 


52 83 


50 


83 


53 


70 


40 and above 


85 


99 


82 99 


81 


99 


75 


96 








GeiKrnl Composite 










80 and abovt 


30 


31 


26 28 


23 


27 


19 


23 


60 and above 


74 


84 


61 84 


58 


85 


51 


72 


40 and above 


90 


99 


91 99 


92 


99 


91 


98 








Electronics Composite 










80 and above 


33 


9 


30 9 


30 


10 


27 


12 


60 and above 


58 


36 


55 34 


54 


37 


55 


39 


40 and above 


86 


78 


84 77 


85 


81 


90 


80 



Table 3. Percenta&e of 1970 Througb 1973 Male and Female Enl^eet 
With Veiy High AQEScoitfl 



Mre*Rt Scorlnj it i£teN Aptitude Index 







1*70 




ItTf 




t97i 




tt7a 


IihMr 


MaM 




HUM 








MAI* 




CtfftM* 


% 


% 


% 


% 


% 


% 


% 


% 








Mechanical Composite 










95 


4 


0 


4 


0 


4 


0 


5 


0 


90 


8 


0 


6 


0 


7 


0 


6 


0 


85 


7 


0 


6 


c 


7 


1 


7 


1 


80 


6 


1 


5 


1 


5 


1 


5 


2 


Total 


25 


I 


21 


i 


23 


2 


23 


3 








Adnuniitrative Composite 








95 




6 


6 


6 


4 


5 


3 


S 


90 


*^ 


6 


4 


5 


3 


4 


2 


4 


S5 


7 


9 


5 


7 


6 


8 


3 


6 


80 


7 


11 


7 


10 


5 


10 


4 


6 


Total 


26 


32 


22 


28 

General Composite 


18 


27 


12 


21 


95 


8 


4 


5 


3 


4 


4 


5 


6 


90 


6 


4 


4 


4 


4 


4 


3 


4 


85 


• 


n 


8 


9 


7 


8 


4 


5 


80 


8 


12 


9 


12 


8 


11 


7 


8 


Total 


30 


31 


26 


28 


23 


27 


19 


23 








Electronics Composite 










95 


12 


0 


9 


1 


8 


1 


5 


5 


90 


6 


1 


5 


1 


6 


2 


6 


4 


85 


7 


3 


6 


2 


6 


3 


7 


2 


30 


8 


5 


10 


5 


10 


4 


9 


1 

12 


Total 


33 


9 


30 


9 


30 


10 


27 



5 

8 



Table 4. Diitrtlmtioii of Educatioiul Uvd* for 1970 Through 1973 
Mate tod Female Air Force Enlistees 



Ymn 






Number ind Nfcml for Eduatlioiwl 






1t70 














N 




N 


% 


N 


% 


N 












Maies 










1 6 or more 


4,564 


6 


3351 


3 


1,573 


2 




I 


13-IS 


8,450 


12 

a w 


8,977 


9 


8,093 


10 


A mi 


o 


12 


52,807 


73 


70373 


71 


60,967 


75 


58.742 


82 


11 orles 


6,726 


9 


16362 


17 


10.928 


13 




n 


Total 


72,547 


100 


99.063 


100 


81,563 


100 


71,762 


100 










Females 










16 or more 


6 


0 


20 


0 


64 


1 


177 


2 


13-15 


211 


5 


261 


6 


371 


8 


633 


8 


12 


4.014 


95 


4,083 


94 


4,246 


91 


6«B68 


90 


1 1 or less 


7 


0 


7 


0 


7 


0 


13 


0 


Total 


4,238 


100 


4371 


100 


4,688 


100 


7.691 


100 



Table 5 shows the distribution of male and 
female enlistees by racial subgroup for 1970 
through 1973. The percentages are fairly 
consistent acros years, with parallel trends 
apparent. 



A strong effort has been made to provide 
expanded opportunity for minority groups, and 
for women. Table 6 dis{dayfi percentages of Black, 
non>BIack, and Total wAF enlistments by 
geograhic area in 1973. The geographk: areas are 
designated as foQows: 



Table 5. DistributioD of 1970 Through 1973 Male and Female 
Enlistees by Racial Subgroup 









NumMr and Nrecitt for RaciH £ubfroup« 




VMri of 


blaek 




NOR>aiMl 


k 


ComMnad QiroHM 
N 


Enllttmcnt 


N 


% 


N 










Males 






1970 
1971 

1972 
1973 


10,221 

15.679 
10.475 
10,985 


14 
16 
13 
IS 


62326 
83384 
71,088 
60,7/7 


86 
84 

87 
85 


72347 
99,063 
81363 
71,762 


Total 


47360 


13 


277.575 
Females 


85 


324^35 


1970 
1971 
1972 
1973 


594 
740 
629 
1.196 


14 
17 
13 
16 


3.644 
3,631 
4,059 
6.495 


86 
83 
87 
84 


4.238 
4371 
4.688 
7.691 


Total 


3,159 


15 


17.829 


85 


20.988 



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Aim I. Maine» New Himpihire, Vemwnt. 
Mtistcbuiettt» Coanecticut, Rhode 
tiltnd» New Yoik. 

Aim 2. New Jeriey. Pennsylvania, Ddawaie, 
Muyluid, West Vkginii, Vi»-ginia, District 
of Columbia. 

Area 3. Noith Carolina, South Carolina, Geoigia, 
Florida, Akbama, Missitsin>i, Tennessee. 

Area 4. Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New 
Mexico, Texu, Arizona. 



A:ea5. Ohio, Indiana. Michigan, Illinois, 
Kentudcy. 

Area 6. Washington, Oregon, California. Nevada, 
Idaho, Montana, Utah, Alaska. Hawaii. 

Area 7. Missouri, lo'wa. Minnesota, North Dakota, 
South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, 

Colorado, Wyoming, Wisconsin. 

Areas. Other than Aieu I through 7. 

Esch area (1 through 7) corresponds to 
an Air Force recruiting ^up area. 



Table 6. WAF Racial COmpoiitk>a by Geographic Ana of Enlistment 

(1973) 



_ . Raw CalutM How Caiumn Row Cslunii 



1. ME,NH,VT,MA,RI,NY,CT 

2. Nl, PA, DE, MD, W, VA, DC 

3. NC,SC,GA,FL,AL,MS.TN 

4. AR,LA,OK,NM,TX,AZ 

5. OH. IN, MI, IL,KY 

6. WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT. UT, AL, HI 

7. MO. lA, MN, ND, SD, KS, NE, CO, WY. WI 

8. Other 

Total 



109 


11 


9 


880 


89 


14 


989 100 


13 


212 


20 


18 


828 


80 


13 


Ijm 100 


14 


359 


29 


30 


897 


71 


14 


1,256 100 


16 


203 


21 


17 


772 


79 


12 


975 100 


13 


191 


14 


16 


1,204 


86 


19 


1395 100 


18 


77 


7 


6 


1,065 


93 


16 


1.142 100 


15 


45 


5 


4 


838 


95 


13 


883 100 


11 


0 


0 


0 


11 


100 


0 


11 100 


0 


1,196 


16 


100 


6,495 


84 


lOl* 


7,691 IQO 


100 



^Bxceeda lOQ^ beetuse of rounding. 



The row percenttget in Table 6 indlette the 
mix of Black and non-Btack female enlistees from 
the given areas and the column percentages 
indicate the proportions of enlistees from the 
various areas comprising the Black (and the 
non^Black and Total) samples. For example, 29 
percent of the female enlistees from Aiea 3 are 
Black, whereas only S percent of those from Area 
7 are Black. Of aQ female Black enlistees, 30 per* 
cent come from Area 3 and only 4 pendent from 
Area 7. There are consklerable disproportions in 
both row and cotunrn percentages for Blacks. 



Assuming that vigorous efforts to recruit 
minority group members will continue, Table A9 
(in the Appendix) was prepared to show regional 
differences in AQE means for Blacks and 
non-Blacks separately. 

Tabce 7 distributes mean aptitude scores across 
intervals of age at enlistment, for males and 
females separately. For both male and fonale 
accessions, there is a strong trend for mean AQE 
aptitude indexes to increase with age. 



ERIC 



7 

10 



Table 7. AQE Aptitucb^ Indexes by Age Group for 1973 
MbIc and Fenvilt Enlisteet 



tor MMti ftRd r«iniMit 



Of 


N 


Mtcti 
Mmr 




QtR 


MMn 




M«ch 


Atfmin 
MMn 


Gtn 
Mmr 




17 


2,763 


55.3 


46.8 


54.9 


58.5 












18 


20,760 


59.1 


50.1 


57.4 


60.6 


1,541 


38.1 


63.1 


63.6 


51.2 


19 


20.493 


59.2 


50.8 


58.2 


61.6 


2,162 


39.1 


63.7 


63.9 


52.1 


20 


13.404 


59.8 


52J 


58.8 


61S 


1344 


39.6 


63.9 


64.1 


53.4 


21 


6,567 


60.4 


553 


60.1 


63.0 


863 


39.9 


65 .7 


66.1 


54.2 


22 


3,623 


61.7 


58.6 


63.1 


64.8 


584 


403 


66.2 


66.8 


53.9 


23 


1,964 


64.0 


62.5 


66J 


67..i 


405 


40.S 


66.8 


66.9 


53 ii 


24+ 


2,188 


63.0 


62.1 


65.1 


66.6 


792 


41.9 


68.0 


68.2 


553 


Total 


71,762 


59.7 


52J 


58.9 


61.6 


7,691 


39.4 


64.4 


64.9 


52.9 



IV. CONCLUSIONS 

The puiposc of this study was to describe WAF 
enlistees for 1970 through 1973. and to compare 
them with male eiUistees for the same period. 

The results of this study lead to the following 
conclusions: 

(a) Overall, using 1970 as a comparative base, 
the 1973 WAF aptitude indexes declined less 
sharply than did those of their male contempor- 
aries. In fact, two of the WAF indexes. Mechanical 
and Bectronics. were higher in 1973 than in 1970. 



(b) Whereas educational level of male acccs> 
sions has declined in the years 1970 through 1973, 
it has climbed somewhat for WAF. 

(c) Racial mix for females is about the same as 
for males, but recniitment of Black females varies 
considerably among recruiting areas. 

(d) Younger females tend to have relatively 
lower aptitude scores. 



ERIC 



8 

11 



REFERENCtSS 



Betkeley, M.H., & Brokaw, L.D. Stability of WAF 
attiiudet as measured by attitude mrvey Be- 
CE50IGJL AFPTROTN-S6-72. Ucklwtd AFB, 
Tex.: Air Force Personnel and Training 
Research Center, June 1956. 



Elliot, L.L. WAF perfomutnce on the CatifGmia 
Psychological Inventory. WADD-TN-60-218, 
AD-246 941. Lackbnd AFB, Tex.: Personnd 
Laboratory, Wright Air Development Division, 
September I960. 



Lecznar, W.B. Performance on Airman Qualify;ing 
Examination by regional ereas and by sex. 
PRL^TR^S^. AD^17 335. Lackland AFB, 
Tex.: Personnel Research Laboratory. Aero- 
space Medkal Divisk>n, April 1965. 



McReynoUa, J. Mental qwdifkation tests for 
women of the Armed Forces. AFPTRGTN- 
56-87. Lackland AFB. Tex.: Air Force 
Personnel and Training Research Center. June 
1956. 



Tupea, E.C. AQE nomu for high school seniors 
and Air Force training groups. PRL-TR-6S I0, 
AD-619 346. Lackland AFB, Tex.: Personnel 
Research Laboratoiy, Aerospace Medical 
Division, May 1965. 

Vitota, BJI.. Mutlina, CJ.. &. Biokaw, LJ>. 

Quality of the atl vokmteer Air Force- 1973. 
AFHRL-TR-74-3S. ADOOO 000. Lackland 
AFB. Tex.: Personnd Research Division. Air 
Force Human Resource Ltboratciy, April 
1974. 

Vitola, B.M., MuOiss, CJ., WiOknvi. J D.. & 
MidM^a, A.E. Preliminary evahmrion of the 
effectiveness of Air Fotce advertiu'ng. AFHRL- 
TR.73-62, AD.775 049. Uckland AFB, Tex.: 
Personnel Research Division. Air FotcA Human 
Resources Laboratoiy. January 1974. 

Vitola, BJf., & WatHNun, SM. Q>mpcmive 
performance of male and female enlistees on 
Air Force selection tneasures. AFHRL-TR-71 -9, 
AF-726 531. Lackland AFB. Tex,: Personnel 
Research Division, Air Force Humau Resources 
Laboratory, February 1971. 



ERIC 



9 

US 



APPENDIX A: RACIAL SUBGROUP DISTRIBUTIONS FOR 1970 THROUGH 1973 
FEMALE ENUSTEES BY SELECTION TEST MEASURE. EDUCATIONAL 
LEVEL, AGE. AND ENLISTMENT REGION 



Table Al. Average AQE Aptitude indexes for 1970 Through 1973 Female 
Air Force Enliiteet by Racial Subgroup 



At>tttu«« 
CompMit* 






MMit and SO on StMctlon MMtura 






1170 


ia7i 




lava 






so 


Mmk 


so 




so 




so 








Black 












AQE-Mechanical 


2S.8 


17.0 


263 


16.7 


28.9 


16.5 


31.6 


17.9 


AQE-Administrative 


65^ 


12.1 


63.4 


11.7 


62.9 


11.8 


59.1 


ISA 


AQE-General 


642 


11.5 


62.: 


10.6 


62.7 


10.9 


573 


13.7 


AQE-Qectronics 


42.1 


17.2 


403 


16A 


41.9 


i59 


42.1 


17.1 








NoQ«BIack 












AQE-Mechanical 


34.2 


19.1 


34J 


193 


37.1 


18.9 


40.9 


185 


AQE-AdnUnistrative 


70.9 


13.8 


69.9 


13.9 


693 


13.7 


65.4 


15.9 


AQE^eneral 


70.7 


12.7 


70.1 


12.8 


69.6 


lis 


66.4 


153 


AQE-EIectronics 


51.9 


18.2 


51.9 


18.5 


53/4 


J7.8 


549 


18^ 



Table A2. Cumulative Percentage)! of AQE Aptitude Indexes for 1970 Through 1973 
Female Air Force Enlistees by Raciai Subgroup 



' ^oantaii* by RaelAl Subgroup In Sect* 
Ranff* on AQE CompotKa 









1t7t 




i»7a 




is7a 
















Aptttuda 


Mack 


NoR'Waek 


•tack Hon-miack 


Mack 


NoR4Uaek 


■«a«k 


Non-Staek 


iRdaik 


% 


% 


% % 








% 








Mechanical Comp<»ite 










80 and above 


0 


2 


0 2 


0 


2 


I 


3 


60 and above 


3 


11 


3 10 


4 


14 


8 


19 


40 and above 


31 


41 


26 42 


30 


47 


36 


56 








Administrative Compofite 








80 and above 


17 


35 


12 32 


n 


29 


11 


23 


60 and above 


76 


83 


75 84 


77 


84 


60 


72 


40 and above 


100 


100 


99 99 


98 


99 


93 


96 








General Composite 










80 and above 


14 


34 


8 32 


10 


30 


8 


25 


60 and above 


74 


85 


71 87 


75 


87 


54 


75 


40 and above 


100 


100 


99 99 


100 


99 


95 


98 








Electronics Composite 










80 and above 


2 


10 


1 10 


2 


11 


3 


14 


60 and above 


19 


38 


14 39 


17 


40 


17 


43 


40 and above 


63 


80 


61 80 


61 


84 


63 


84 



ERLC 



11 

13 

I 



TabU A3, Percentage of 1970 Ittrough 1973 F male EoUitees 
by Racial Subgroup With Ve»y Higb AQE Scoies 



MrotRt of fliclal Subffoup Scortnf 
It Each Aptltu(te IrMk CtntH* 



Ctntllt 



1170 



Maek 
% 



1»7S 



•ttek 
% 



Noa>HMk 
% 



:.>.tfk 
% 



tl«n*W«6k 



Mack 
% 



NQn^Mtek 



95 
90 
85 
80 

Total 



95 
90 
85 
80 
Total 

95 
90 
85 
80 

Total 



95 
90 
85 
80 

Total 



0 
0 
0 
0 

0 



1 
4 
4 

8 
17 

0 
2 
4 
8 
14 



0 
0 
0 

2 
2 



0 
0 
1 
1 
2 



7 
6 
10 
12 
35 

4 
5 
12 
13 
34 



1 
1 

3 

5 

10 



Mechaoical Compodte 

0 0 0 

0 6 0 

0 1 0 

0 I 0 

0 2 0 

Administrative Composite 

1 7 1 

2 5 2 

4 8 3 

5 12 5 
12 32 11 

General Composite 

4 0 

5 1 
10 3 
13 6 
32 10 



0 
0 
3 
5 
8 



.5 



Etectronica Comp<Mite 

2 0 

2 1 

5 1 

10 2 



0 
0 
1 
1 
2 



6 
4 
8 
11 
29 



4 
5 
9 
12 
30 



1 
2 
3 
5 
11 



0 
0 
0 
1 
1 



2 
2 
3 
4 
11 



0 
1 
2 
5 
8 



0 
1 
1 
1 
3 



0 
1 
1 
1 
3 



6 
6 
5 
6 
23 



6 
4 

6 
9 

25 



1 
3 
4 

6 
14 



Vcar* 

Sctioollttf 
Comptttad 



16 or more 
13-15 
12 

11 or less 
Total 



16 ormoie 
13-15 
12 

11 or less 
Total 



Table A4. Distribution of Education Lewi for 1970 Throi^h 1973 
Female Air Force Enlistees by Racial Subgroup 



1»70 



N 



1 

13 
580 
0 
594 



5 

198 
3,434 

7 

3,644 



0 
2 
98 

0 
100 



0 
6 
94 

0 
100 



NumbarbtMl Ptrcvnt by Racial Subgroup 
tor each rducatlon LavH 



lari 



N 



0 
26 
713 
1 

740 



0 
4 
96 
0 

100 



Non-Black 

20 1 

235 6 

3370 93 

6 0 

3,631 100 



1f72 



N 



6 
36 
586 
1 

629 



1 

6 
93 

0 
100 



ia7a 



15 
78 
I.IOI 
2 

1,196 



1 

7 
92 

0 
100 



58 


2 


162 


2 


335 


8 


555 


9 


3.660 


90 


5.767 


89 


6 


0 


11 


0 


4,059 


100 


6,495 


100 



ERIC 



12 

14 



Table AS. AQE Aptitude Indexes by Age and EUctal Subgroup 
for 1970 Fenule Air Fotce Entf^tees 



VMn — WowWtck 

of Mtoelt 



18 135 262 

19 223 28.7 

20 126 27.1 

21 61 32.5 

22 27 30.8 

23 9 21.2 

24 13 27.8 

Total 594 2S.8 



Admin 


MMn 


Mean 


N 


M«eti 


Admin 
M««n 


Gtn 
Mm CI 


Bt*o 
Maan 


64.1 


61.8 


393 


1.120 


33.2 


70-6 


69.9 


505 


65.8 


64.6 


42.9 


1^63 


34Si 


70.9 


70.8 


52.8 


65.9 


64.8 


43.2 


635 


36.0 


715 


70.8 


52.7 


65.9 


66.4 


44.1 


308 


35J 


71.8 


713 


52i 


64.4 


66.1 


41.7 


154 


35.9 


71.4 


732 


543 


85.6 


60.0 


43J 


70 


32.2 


725 


70.9 


503 


63.8 


623 


40.4 


90 


31.7 


73.2 


71.9 


51.8 


65.2 


64.2 


42.1 


3,644 


34.2 


70.9 


70.7 


51.9 



Table A6. AQE Aptitude Indexes by Age and Radal Subgroup 
for 1971 Female Air Force Enlbtees 



Numbf ana APUtuda hkIbic by tUclal subgroup 



Vaari — — ;:c2 Non-Wick 

•* Macb Admin 

N Maan Maan 



18 117 24.8 62.9 

19 261 253 63.2 

20 164 262 63.9 

21 82 26.4 64.8 

22 64 27.5 623 

23 23 25.5 65.2 
24+ 29 23.8 635 

Total 740 263 63.4 



Oan 
Maan 


Bae 
Maan 


N 


Maeb 
Maan 


Admin 
Maan 


Gan 
Maan 


Eiae 
Maan 


613 


40.2 


877 


33.8 


693 


693 


513 


61.8 


403 


M88 


343 


69.7 


69.7 


51.8 


623 


403 


692 


35.4 


69.9 


69.8 


52.1 


62.9 


412 


338 


353 


69.9 


70.7 


52.6 


o3.0 


42.9 


232 


323 


71.6 


70.9 


51.8 


63.7 


43 S) 


139 


33.8 


723 


71.7 


51.8 


61.7 


393 


165 


343 


71.4 


72^ 


52.4 


62.1 


40.8 


3,631 


343 


69.9 


70.1 


515 



ERIC 



Table A7. AQE ApUttule ladexet by Age ind Racial Subyoup 
for 1972 Female Air Force Enlktee 



Numbar •mi AptltiKl* lntf«M by lUetel Subfvoup 



Vwn 
of 
At* 


N 


Midi 
M«an 


Admin 


Gmn 




N 


Wfett 


AdmlM 

MMN 


qm 
Mmr 


EMC 
Mmr 


18 


129 


26.6 


61.8 


61.4 


405 


897 


36.1 


68.6 


68.6 


523 


19 


192 


27.7 


61.7 


622 


40.9 


1,273 


36.8 


68.8 


683 


534 


20 


119 


283 


62.6 


62.9 


42.6 


737 


363 


69.1 


693 


53.0 


21 


76 


29.6 


64.5 


62.6 


42.6 


425 


37.6 


69.7 


702 


53.8 


22 


4S 


3IJ 


65.4 


64.1 


45.8 


280 


39.1 


70.4 


72.1 


55.1 


23 


17 


28.9 


59.7 


62.9 


383 


166 


40.0 


70i) 


71.8 


55 JO 


24+ 


48 


29.1 


64.5 


65.4 


422 


281 


38.6 


72.4 


723 


55.1 


Total 


629 


28.9 


62.9 


62.7 


41.9 


4,059 


37.1 


693 


69.6 


53.4 



Table A& AQE Apti^icte tedexet by Age and lUdal Sitb^ 
for 1973 Female Air Fotx Enlisteei 



VMrt ' 



of 
As* 


N 


Mean 


Admin 
MMn 


Gen 
MMn 


Eltc 
MMn 


N 


Moch 
Mmr 


Aamin 
Mmr 


Om 
Mmh 


eiM 

Mmr 


18 


223 


30.9 


58.6 


SS9 


40.6 


1318 


39.2 


63.8 


64.9 


52.9 


19 


315 


313 


58.9 


56.4 


41.7 


1,847 


39.9 


64 jO 


65.4 


543 


20 


216 


33.9 


59.2 


57.4 


42.6 


1,128 


413 


642 


653 


55.7 


21 


140 


30.7 


59.8 


59.1 


427 


723 


42.1 


66.9 


673 


563 


22 


104 


31.4 


593 


59.4 


433 


480 


42.8 


67.4 


68.4 


553 


23 


67 


26.2 


59.2 


56.0 


38.4 


338 


432 


f^3 


69.0 


56.7 


24+ 


131 


33.2 


59.8 


59.2 


433 


661 


433 


69.8 


70.0 


57 j6 


Total 


1,196 


31.6 


59.1 


573 


42.1 


6,495 


40.9 


65.4 


66A 


S4.9 




Table A9. Mean WAF Scores on AQE Aptitude Composite* for Racial Subgioupt 
and Total Sample by Enliitinent Region, 1973* 



Rtclonef 
CnllttRWNt 



1 . ME, NH, VT. MA, RI. NY. CT 

2. NJ,PA,DE,MD,WV,VA,DC 

3. NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN 

4. AR,LA,0K,>JM,TX,A2 

5. OH,IN,MI,IL,KY 

6. WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, UT, AL, HI 

7. MO, lA. MN. ND, SD, KS, NE, CO, WY, WI 

8. Other 



Total 





■tack 




Non-auck 




Total StmpM 




N 


Mmr 




N 




0 a^ 


N 


Mmh 


SD 


^ ' ■ • ^^^^^^^^^^ 
















109 


29 


16 


880 


41 


19 


989 


39 


19 


212 


32 


17 


828 


39 


19 


1,040 


38 


19 


359 


31 


18 


897 


39 


19 


1,256 


37 


19 


203 


30 


18 


772 


40 


20 


975 


38 


20 


191 


35 


19 


1,204 


42 


18 


1395 


41 


19 


77 


35 


17 


1,065 


42 


19 


1.142 


41 


19 


4S 


24 


15 


838 


43 


18 


883 


42 


18 


0 


0 


0 


11 


40 


18 


11 


40 


18 


1,196 






6,495 






7.691 







Admintitntive 



1 . ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, NY, CT 

2. NJ, PA, DE, MD, WV, VA, DC 

3. NC,SC,GA,FL,AL,MS,TN 

4. AR,LA,OK,NM,TX,AZ 

5. OH,IN,MI,IL,KY 

6. WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, UT, AL, HI 

7. MO, lA, MN, ND, SD, KS, NE, CO, WY, WI 

8. Other 

Total 



1 . ME. NH, VT, MA, RI, NY, CT 

2. NJ,PA,DE,MD,WV,VA,DC 

3. NC, SC. GA, FL, AL, MS, TN 

4. AR,LA,OK,NM,TX,AZ 

5. OH,IN,MI,IL,KY 

6. WA, OR. CA. NV. ID, MT, UT, AL, Hi 

7. MO, lA, MN. ND, SD, KS, NE, CO. WY, WI 

8. Other 

Total 



1 . ME. NH. VT, MA, RI, NY. CT 

2. NJ, PA, DE. MD, WV, VA, DC 

3. NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN 

4. AR,LA,OK,NM,TX,AZ 

5. 0H.IN.M1,IL,KY 

6. WA, OR, CA. NV. ID. MT. UT, AL, HI 

7. MO. lA. MN, ND. SD. KS, NE. CO. WY. WI 

8. Other 

Total 



109 


55 


15 


880 


64 


16 


989 


63 


16 


212 


60 


14 


828 


68 


16 


1.040 


66 


16 


359 


58 


15 


897 


67 


15 


1.256 


65 


16 


203 


61 


15 


772 


67 


15 


975 


66 


15 


191 


60 


16 


1.204 


65 


16 


U9S 


64 


16 


77 


58 


14 


1,065 


62 


17 


1,142 


61 


16 


45 


62 


15 


838 


66 


16 


883 


66 


16 


0 


0 


0 


11 


52 


15 


11 


52 


15 


1.196 






6,495 






7,691 






General 
















109 


58 


14 


880 


66 


16 


989 


65 


16 


212 


57 


14 


828 


67 


16 


1.040 


65 


16 


359 


55 


13 


897 


67 


14 


1.256 


63 


15 


203 


59 


12 


772 


67 


14 


975 


f»5 


14 


191 


58 


14 


1.204 


66 


15 


1395 


-55 


15 


77 


59 


13 


1.065 


65 


16 


1,142 


65 


16 


45 


59 


IS 


838 


67 


16 


883 


67 


16 


0 


0 


0 


11 


57 


12 


n 


57 


12 


1.196 






6.495 






7,691 







Electronics 
















109 43 


17 


880 


55 


18 


989 


54 


19 


212 42 


18 


828 


54 


19 


1.040 


52 


20 


359 40 


17 


897 


52 


18 


1.256 


48 


19 


203 38 


16 


772 


54 


19 


975 


51 


20 


191 47 


IS 


1.203 


56 


17 


1394 


SS 


17 


77 47 


17 


1.065 


55 


19 


1,14'' 


55 


19 


45 47 


19 


838 


57 


18 


883 


57 


18 


0 0 


0 


11 


SO 


21 


11 


50 


21 


1,196 




6.495 






7,691 







'Meaiu and Standard Deviationa hare been rounded to nearest whole number. 



ERIC 



17